Posterior Leg

Question 1

Give the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 1

Gastrocnemius (lateral and medial head)
Soleus
Plantaris
Tibialis Posterior
Flexor Digitorum Longus
Flexor Hallucis Longus

Question 2

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Gastrocnemius

Answer 2

Origin:
Lateral head = Lateral Femoral Condyle
Medial head = Medial Femoral Condyle

Insertion:
Calcaneal tendon

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Plantar flexion of the ankle (when knee extended)
Flex the knee

Test:
None listed.

Question 3

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Soleus

Answer 3

Origin:
Soleal line on the tibia + Superior 1/4 of the fibula

Insertion:
Calcaneal tendon

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Plantar flexion of ankle (when knee is in any position)

Test:
None listed.

Question 4

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Plantaris

Answer 4

Origin:
Inferior lateral supracondylar line of the femur

Insertion:
Calcaneal tendon

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Weak plantar flexion of ankle and weak knee flexion

Test:
None listed.

Question 5

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Tibialis Posterior

Answer 5

Origin:
Superoposterior tibia + Superior fibula (below soleal line) + interosseous membrane

Insertion:
Inferior of navicular, cuneiform, cuboid, bases of 2-4th metatarsals.

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Plantar flexion of ankle + Foot inversion

Test:
Invert foot against resistance. See and palpate tendon posterior to medial malleolus (if normal).

Question 6

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Answer 6

Origin:
Inferior 2/3s of fibula + interosseous membrane

Insertion:
Base of distal phalanx of great toe

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Flex all of the interphalangeal joints + metatarsophalangeal joints of great toe.
Maintain medial arch of foot.

Test:
Flex toe against resistance and if normal, you can palpate + see the tendon on the plantar surface of the great toe (over the joints).

Question 7

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Answer 7

Origin:
Medio-posterior tibia (inferior to soleal line)

Insertion:
Base of distal phalanges of 2nd-5th toes

Innervation:
Tibial Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Flex 2nd-5th toes at interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints
Maintain longitudinal arches of the foot

Test:
Flex the distal phalanges of the 4 lateral toes against resistance. If normal, can see + palpate tendons of toes.

Question 8

What is the rhyme for naming structure passing posterior to the medial malleolus?

Answer 8

From closest to medial malleolus
Tom, Dick, And Very Naughty Harry

Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Posterior tibial Artery, Posterior tibial Vein, Tibial Nerve, Flexor Hallucis Longus.

Question 9

What is the rhyme for naming structure passing posterior to the medial malleolus?

Answer 9

From closest to medial malleolus
Tom, Dick, And Very Naughty Harry

Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Posterior tibial Artery, Posterior tibial Vein, Tibial Nerve, Flexor Hallucis Longus.